Once your baby arrives, you may feel overwhelmed with the new changes. But it is still important to care for your body, and that is where postpartum checkup becomes essential. The 6-week postpartum checkup is one of the essential checkups after the baby’s birth and is especially important if you had a C-section, normal delivery or certain issues during delivery. Postpartum visits to your doctor also help you know the progress of your recovery and healing. Read on to learn more about the details and important points before planning your sixth-week postpartum checkup.
Why Do You Need a Sixth-Week Postpartum Checkup?
Women are advised to get checked at four to six weeks after childbirth. This is particularly important after cesarean, normal or complicated delivery to evaluate the psychological health, physical health, and recovery status of the new mother (1). This is also when your doctor may assess your baby to make sure they are doing fine. Other important aspects to discuss with your doctor are breastfeeding, contraception, and pre-planning for the next pregnancy. Women need to be constantly monitored, and postpartum care should be a continuing process tailored to the woman’s needs. Furthermore, if you had complications or chronic health conditions in pregnancy or while giving birth, your doctor might want to see you within two to three weeks of delivery (2).
How To Prepare For Your Postpartum Checkups?
Discuss your postpartum care plan with your doctor and the postpartum care team (including friends and family) before delivery, which will help you prepare better. Note the following important points before your six-week checkup (3) (4).
Maintain prompt communication with your obstetric care providers to ensure you are assessed on time.
Your care team must also be aware of your ongoing health conditions to plan comprehensive postpartum visits.
Have a booked appointment for consulting your doctor at your planned postpartum visit time.
You may consider taking a separate appointment with your doctor to assess your baby thoroughly.
Make sure you carry all the necessary documents, such as the discharge summary and your and your baby’s medical records.
List down all the questions to ask your healthcare provider on the visit. A few important questions include getting back to exercise routine, breastfeeding, contraceptive methods, dealing with postpartum pains, nutrition, medicines and other health issues.
What Happens At The Sixth-Week Postpartum Checkup?
The postpartum assessments during a six-week visit may not be similar in every case and depend on the woman’s health status, time allotted, and the doctor’s recommendations. However, some common areas that are expected to be covered during the checkup include the following (3) (4) (5):
History and physical exam: The postpartum checkup might begin with your doctor asking you about your labor and any possible complications you might have had in pregnancy or during delivery. Your provider may perform a vitals check if you had problems during pregnancy or immediately after the birth.
Incision care and physical recovery: Your doctor may offer to examine your incisional region to check the healing process if you had stitches while delivering. Additionally, your doctor may ask you a few questions regarding bleeding after delivery, urinary discomforts, bowel movements, and back pain. Image: Shutterstock
Blood and other tests: Your doctor may recommend you to undergo certain blood tests to rule out anemia, thyroid disorders, and diabetes. This is essential if the mother had any of these conditions during pregnancy. Additional tests such as pap tests and complete blood count may be advised based on your health status.
Feeding your baby: The doctor will inquire about breastfeeding your baby. You may take the support of the lactation team if you have any trouble establishing breastfeeding or any associated pain. Image: iStock
Pelvic examination: The doctor may perform an internal pelvic exam to check for uterus size, signs of infection, vaginal discharge, or abdominal pain. These tests are suggested based on your health status and whether you have symptoms of any problem.
Mental health assessment: Your primary care provider may ask how you are coping with motherhood, mood swings, and emotional changes after delivery. This might help them identify any risks of mental health disorders such as anxiety, stress, and postpartum depression.
Sex and birth control methods: This visit is also a good time to discuss resuming sex and other physical activities. Your doctor may inquire about future pregnancies and birth control options. Image: Shutterstock
Immunizations: You must make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Your doctor might review your vaccination history and suggest getting a Tdap or flu shot if needed.
Management of other health conditions: If you have had any medical condition during or after pregnancy, such as diabetes or sleep disorders, your doctor may recommend management options to reduce the long-term effects.
What Are The Other Things To Discuss With Your Doctor?
During a sixth-week postpartum check, report to your doctor if you are concerned about any of the following issues (6) (7).
Excessive bleeding or vaginal discomfort: Inform your doctor if you have vaginal swelling, foul-smelling discharge, or constant bleeding that lasts for two weeks or longer.
Feeding difficulties: You may take the support of a certified lactation consultant who can help you with breastfeeding difficulties and establish a healthy breastfeeding relationship with your baby.
Pain in the abdomen: Tell your doctor if you have any pain in your pelvic or abdomen region, especially if you have had a cesarean procedure.
Urinary incontinence: Any pain, discomfort during urination, or trouble holding urine must be reported to the doctor as it may indicate a possible urinary tract infection.
Emotional disturbances: If you feel sad, anxious, sleepless, or have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, you must seek immediate medical care as these signs may be of a mental health disorder, like postnatal depression. Image: iStock
Excessive fatigue, dizziness, or headaches: These symptoms might be common after delivery due to hormonal changes. However, long-lasting tiredness and headaches must be evaluated to rule out other medical conditions.
Pre-existing health conditions: The sixth-week checkup is ideal to discuss your pregnancy and postpartum health problems with your doctor to prevent further complications. If you had blood pressure disorders, gestational diabetes, or preterm labor, you might be at increased risk of cardiovascular disorders (8).
Resuming physical activities: Your sixth-week postpartum checkup is the right time to discuss with your healthcare provider the types of normal activities and exercises suitable for you after delivery.
Nutrition and weight management: A right diet and appropriate BMI are essential for a woman after delivery. Hence, it is important to discuss the diet and multivitamins to be taken postpartum to help maintain good health and facilitate breastfeeding. Image: Shutterstock
Here is an infographic listing the concerning signs noticed after childbirth.
